Red light cameras
What is a red light camera?
A red light camera is a traffic enforcement camera which captures an image of a vehicle that illegally goes through an intersection where the light is red. Red light cameras help to enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles disobeying red lights. The red light cameras operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Most red light cameras use photographic wet-film technology while the newer cameras will use digital technology. Wet-film cameras will eventually be replaced with digital cameras.
Where are red light cameras located?
Red light camera locations are not publicised as traffic signals are there to be obeyed by all motorists. Disobeying red traffic signals is extremely dangerous and illegal. Red light cameras are installed at intersections which have been approved according to strict selection criteria. Sites that rate highly in terms of the number of crashes from disobeying red lights are considered for the installation of a camera.
How are red light camera sites selected?
Red light camera sites are selected on the basis of a combination of criteria, including crash history, physical constraints and geographical distribution. Intersections with the greatest frequency of crashes involving motorists disobeying traffic lights are considered for a red light camera. The locations are selected using the most up to date crash data in the preceding five years. Candidate sites are then ranked according to crash number and severity, and the highest ranking sites are first to be assessed by the Queensland Police Service for cameras. Locations are selected using the most recent five year crash data available at the time of selection.
How do they work?
Red light cameras operate automatically day and night. A red light camera is connected to traffic lights and is activated when a vehicle crosses the white stop line. The camera is programmed to take photographs of any vehicle travelling over the stop line or entering the intersection after the lights have turned red. The camera will not be triggered by vehicles crossing the stop line on yellow or green lights.
Last reviewed: 07 October 2010
